Install RNA Virtual Scanner Appliance

The virtual scanner can be installed on any computer (host) with the required resources. The virtual scanner is intended to be hosted on a client’s VMware, Hyper-V or VirtualBox virtualization platform. Amazon Web Services (AWS) AMI is also supported.

NOTE: If your organization does not have one of the recommended virtualization platforms such as Hyper-V, VMware or VirtualBox

Install and activate the RNA virtual scanner appliance by performing the following steps (see below for detailed instructions):

  1. Download the RNA virtual scanner appliance.
  2. Deploy the virtual scanner on your virtualization environment.
  3. Configure your network RNA profile for a static IP (if necessary).
  4. Activate the virtual scanner appliance.

Host System Requirements

This section describes the requirements necessary to host the RNA virtual scanner appliance image.

Supported Virtualization Platforms

Host Operating System Version Virtualization Platform (Hypervisor) Virtual Scanner Appliance File
Windows Server 2012 and later Hyper-V Role Microsoft Hyper-V (VHDX)
VMware ESXi Server 5.0 and later Native VMware ESXi (OVA)
Windows Desktop / Laptop 8.1 and later VMware Workstation 10.x and later
Oracle VirtualBox 4.2 and later
VMware ESXi (OVA)
macOS Big Sur and later VMware Fusion 6.x and later
Oracle VirtualBox 4.3 and later
VMware ESXi (OVA)
Linux Ubuntu 20.04 Desktop Oracle VirtualBox 4.3 and later VMware ESXi (OVA)

Minimum Hardware Requirements

Component Requirement
VM Hardware Version VMware Virtual Machine Hardware Version 7.0 or Later
Hyper-V Generation 1
CPU Intel or AMD x86 processors, 2 or 4 CPUs, 2 GHz or higher
Memory 4 GB RAM (Minimum)
Hard Disk 60 GB free space
BIOS Virtualization Technology BIOS Virtualization Technology must be enabled. By default, this setting is not enabled on most laptops.
Peer Images Other VMware, Hyper-V or VirtualBox images may run alongside the RNA on the host system as long as two processors, 2GB of RAM, and 10Mbps of bandwidth are available to the RNA at all times.
Network Location For optimal results, the virtual scanner should be hosted on a computer near the internet gateway (the router with one side connected to your private network, and the other side connected to the internet). To protect from outside access, the host should be located on the protected side of the perimeter security device (a network component that monitors ports and accepts or rejects communications through those ports).
TIP: It is recommended that the virtual scanner be hosted on a machine in a controlled access location due to the sensitivity of the data collected.
Physical Connections & Ports Host system network configuration should be a Cat 5 or above network cable with a network connection speed (throughput) of 100 MB or above.

The Virtual Scanner establishes a secure connection with the Fortra Secure Network Operation Center (SNOC) over Port 443 (HTTPS) or Port 22 (SSH), which allows internal testing on your network.

NOTE: If your location uses an application-based proxy (a proxy server, firewall or a perimeter security device that filters and inspects internet traffic) and you experience difficulty connecting to Fortra for activation, call Technical Support.

Other considerations for macOS: The virtual machine’s available bandwidth is limited by default. If this limitation is exceeded upon initiating a scan, a dialog box displays requesting permission to grant more bandwidth throughput to the virtual machine. Accept the request for the virtual scanner to function optimally.

Download RNA

The following instructions describe how to download the RNA virtual scanner appliance file.

To download the virtual scanner appliance:

  1. Open Fortra VM.
  2. From the navigation menu, select Scan Settings > Scanners.
  3. Select the Appliance Tokens tab.

  4. Under Virtual Scanners Download, select the appropriate file type:
    1. OVA image for VMware or VirtualBox
    2. Hyper-V image for Windows Server Hyper-V role
    3. AMI for Amazon Web Services (AWS). This download will redirect to the AWS Marketplace to subscribe to the AMI and add to your AWS account.
  5. Save the VHDX or OVA file to your local drive.

Deploy RNA

The following instructions describe how to deploy the RNA virtual scanner appliance on your virtualization environment.

Select the applicable virtualization platform:

IMPORTANT: Do not clone the vRNA before, or after, activating it. Cloning the vRNA may prevent successful communication between the vRNA and the Fortra VM platform.

Configure Network Profile

The following instructions describe how to configure the virtual scanner to use a static IP.

NOTE: If Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is in use on your network, the RNA should automatically connect to the network and the RNA Field will indicate the scanner is "Online". If the virtual scanner is unable to use DHCP to connect, create a static IP network profile. Perform this step only if a network profile with a static IP needs to be created. If the scanner is already online, proceed to the Activate RNA step.

To configure the virtual scanner to use a static IP as indicated by the System Status: Internet Link field

  1. From the RNA console, select Edit under Network Status.

  2. From the drop-down list, select Static.

  3. Enter the following information (consult with your IT department for this information):

    1. IP Address - The IP address for the virtual scanner.
    2. Netmask - The subnet mask for the virtual scanner.
    3. Gateway - The IP address for the gateway device available to the virtual scanner.
    4. DNS Server - The IP address for the DNS server available to the virtual scanner.
  4. Select Save.

The virtual scanner should now connect to the network, as indicated by the System Status: RNA Link field. Verify the virtual scanner's connectivity using the "status" command because it is more exhaustive than the Online/Offline field after an IP change.

NOTE: If the scanner is still offline, contact Fortra Technical Support.

Activate RNA

To activate your virtual scanner

  1. Once the scanner has network access, leave the RNA virtual scanner appliance console running.

  2. Open Fortra VM.

  3. From the navigation menu, select Scan Settings > Scanners.

  4. Select the Appliance Tokens tab. The Appliance Tokens page will indicate the total number of activations available.

    NOTE: If you do not have any activations available, contact Fortra Technical Support.
  5. Select New Token to generate a new activation token.

  6. On the RNA virtual scanner appliance console, enter the token in the Please enter your activation key box.

  7. Select Activate RNA.

  8. Once activated, you will see the message, "Activation Successful: This device is ready to use." You are now ready to run your first scan.
    See related: Create and Run Scans.

Refer to RNA Troubleshooting for additional guidance and support.

NOTE: If the virtual RNA is installed on a workstation, the workstation will need to remain powered on and have network connectivity for any scans to run.

For information regarding connectivity issues and troubleshooting, see RNA Troubleshooting